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A news release from the Conference Board of Canada today outlines factors expected to increase travel to and within Canada as the country prepares for 150th birthday celebrations. Here are three key excerpts from today's news:

On top of the nearly 10 per cent growth last year, overnight visits from the U.S. are expected to increase a further 7.8 per cent this year. Beyond the low Canadian dollar and gasoline prices, Canada is known as a safe travel destination which is inevitably resonating with American travellers as many other competing destinations struggle with safety concerns. Similarly, overseas arrivals to Canada saw an increase of 8.7 per cent this year, but are expected to cool slightly in 2017 to an estimated 6.4 per cent.

Growing consumer confidence, increases in disposable income and a few major events, in particular the 150th anniversary of Confederation and Montréal’s 375th anniversary, will see domestic pleasure travel increase by an estimated 3.2 per cent in 2017.

Travel prices are forecasted to continue ramping up slowly with increases ranging between 2.1 and 2.3 per cent between 2017 and 2020. While travellers were hit with a 3.7 per cent increase for accommodations in 2016, a more moderate annual increase at a pace between 2 and 3 per cent is expected across the forecast horizon. Travellers can also expect to spend between 2.1 and 2.4 per cent more for food and beverage services.